David and the giant

1 Samuel 17:32-37 (NLT)
32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” 33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” 34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”


These passages begin the story of David preparing to battle Goliath the Philistine. Goliath was a giant among men. His size alone imposed fear on those who saw him. He was an experienced man of war who had fought since he was a youth. David was just a young boy with a fair, ruddy complexion; but he was ready to face a giant of a man. David explains that “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.” He might have been just a boy, but he had been dealing with the responsibilities of a man and now he was ready to put His trust in God to fight against someone no one else would dare fight.


David was alone to himself most of the time as a young boy tending the family sheep. David had learned to defend against lions and bears that would attack the sheep. David knew God was the only one he could turn to in desperate times for no one else was there. David was a young boy seeking after God for his wisdom and his protection. The prophet Samuel referred to David when he said, “The Lord has sought out a man after His own heart” and yet David was a child. So this young boy had become a man before his time, but he was able to do so because he placed his trust and faith in God. By trusting God David was able to face the giants in his life. From reading the history of David we know David wasn’t perfect, nor did he always do what was right; but David was always seeking after God because he knew God was the one who he had to turn to in time of need. Whatever David could not do he counted on God to do. Do you trust God to do the same in your life?

Submit to God

James 4:7-8 (ESV)
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.


In the Greek language the words “submit yourselves” means to arrange in a military fashion under the command of a leader. When used outside of military purposes it was a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden. James says we should have a voluntary attitude of cooperating with God so that we might resist the temptations of the devil and instead draw near to God and away from Satan.


The New American Standard Translation of Isaiah 29:13-14 says, “Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.” While the people of Israel thought they were drawing near to God with words and other actions their hearts were resisting God. They thought they understood God, but they were only following tradition and rote behavior. God let them know He was going to show them wonderful things if they would submit to Him. -- Two farmers prayed for rain, but only one plowed the fields. One farmer was resistant to his faith but the other farmer submitted his faith to God doing what he knew he should do even though he had to wait on the results. Are you doing what you should be doing and following through on your faith? Or are you just going through the motions with God?

Proverbs 27:18 (NLT)

Proverbs 27:18 (NLT)
18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.


Matthew Henry writes of this verse, “This is designed to encourage diligence, faithfulness, and constancy, even in mean employments. Though the calling be laborious and despicable, yet those who keep to it will find there is something to be got by it. 1. Let not a poor gardener, who keeps the fig-tree, be discouraged; though it require constant care and attendance to nurse up fig-trees, and, when they have grown to maturity, to keep them in good order, and gather the figs in their season, yet he shall be paid for his pains: He shall eat the fruit of it. 2. Nay, let not a poor servant think himself incapable of thriving and being preferred; for if he be diligent in waiting on his master, observant of him and obedient to him, if he keep his master (so the word is), if he do all he can for the securing of his person and reputation and take care that his estate be not wasted or damaged, such a one shall be honoured, shall not only get a good word, but be preferred and rewarded. God is a Master who has engaged to put an honour on those that serve him faithfully.”


Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” Similar to Proverbs 27:18 Jesus is saying that those who faithfully attend to him as servants will be honored. They will be able to gleam honor from their work for the Savior. They will protect the name of Jesus and serve Him as Lord. While the work may be difficult at times there is a great reward to be received. Jesus goes on to say in the book of Luke, ““If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”” Therefore we should turn our hearts to Jesus and serve others as He served those around Him. Jesus often displayed the role of the servant so that others could follow Him as an example. Now let us fellowship with Jesus as His servant so that we may be honored for the work we do in Christ’s name.

Doing what is right so others are not polluted

Proverbs 25:26 (ESV)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.


This proverb speaks of the righteous person who falls to sin. Public sinful actions grieve some and lead others to corruption. Giving into sinful action before the wicked discourages good men and further pollutes the sinful man.


The Mosaic Law was given so that man could understand his sinful actions. Without a gauge for sin man could not even begin to understand the depths of his sin. So the law made sin evident. Man now had the knowledge whether to choose sin or choose righteousness. The Apostle Paul says this in Romans 5:18-21, “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We have a choice to do what is right and just or a choice to follow sin. But sin leads to grief and corruption which pollutes others and gives those who continue to sin justification to continue in their sin. Therefore we should love Christ enough to protect His good name by reflecting His righteousness to others.

Being able to see the real truth

Psalm 51:5-6 (NLT)
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.


In these verses David acknowledges the sinful nature of man. One must first acknowledge there is an issue before they are able to deal with that issue. Then David goes on to talk about the grace of God. God delights in seeing us understand the truth and taking that truth to heart. Finally the truth stored away in the heart matures and from it comes wisdom to avoid temptation and the willingness to ask for forgiveness when sin does take place.


In the 2008 movie Vantage Point the President of the United States is addressing a public gathering in Spain. Shots ring out, The President falls and then an explosion takes place. A plain clothes cop, a man and his girlfriend, an American tourist with a video camera, a mother and child, and a Secret Service agent just back on duty are all witness to the events. Each sees something different and each have a different perception of what happened. Events are replayed from the perspective of each person until the real truth of the story unfolds. In life what we might consider truth is often obscured by our own life experience filters. We perceive according to events that have taken place in our lives and we reach conclusions based upon those perceptions. A couple can go through the same experience and yet each may have a different view of the outcome based upon their beliefs, their prejudices, their sins, their grief, and their own emotions. Both will believe what they have experienced is the truth but each truth may conflict with the other person’s belief. This problem can often cause conflicts in marriage. This is when we need to pray for God to grant us the wisdom to see beyond our own misconceptions and see the truth through God’s eyes. Pray God will teach you the wisdom to see reality without blurred and filtered vision.

Laminin

Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.


In these verses we find the apostle honoring Christ speaking of Jesus as God. The apostle stated Christ existed before creation of heaven and earth. Christ is the heir of all creation just as the first born son of a family would become heir of all that a father owned. It is through Christ that creation exists and is through Christ that creation is held together.

Matthew Henry said of the verses above, “The whole creation is kept together by the power of the Son of God, and made to consist in its proper frame. It is preserved from disbanding and running into confusion.” Changing subjects a second, Meriam Webster’s dictionary says the following about Laminin --- it is a glycoprotein component of connective tissue basement membrane that promotes cell adhesion. Without it the cells of life would not bond together. Without it the correct formation of tissues would be impossible. Now I didn’t get the comparison of Laminin to Christ until I saw a picture of Laminin and then I got excited. The shape of the glycoprotein module is in the shape of a cross. The same shape of a cross we have come to know that Jesus died for our sins on also holds the structure of our bodies together. David said in Psalm 139:14, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Our bodies are a wonderful creation created by God, held together by Christ in order that we may exist.

Advice for husbands and wives

1 Peter 3:3-5 (ESV)
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.


The apostle tells us in the verses above that one should give preferred treatment to their internal thoughts over their external adornment. Concern for external behavior should be given preference over external appearance. A gentle and quiet spirit is what makes one beautiful before God; for God finds those qualities precious. Matthew Henry said of verses 5-6, "You can pretend nothing of excuse from the weakness of your sex, but what they might. They lived in old time, and had less knowledge to inform them and fewer examples to encourage them; yet in all ages they practiced this duty; they were holy women, and therefore their example is obligatory; they trusted in God, and yet did not neglect their duty to man: the duties imposed upon you, of a quiet spirit and of subjection to your own husbands, are not new, but what have ever been practiced by the greatest and best women in the world.’’


Some husbands may read the verses above and say, “Alright! The Bible says my wife must submit to me.” Not so fast guys. Chapter 1 Peter 3 goes on to say in verse 7, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” Christian husbands and wives have obligations to one another. The wife maintains a gentle and quiet spirit while allowing her husband to make final decisions critical to the family. The husband in turn should make his decisions with an understanding heart, showing his wife honor, and recognizing he should not allow his physical size or his intimidating voice to rule over his wife. The apostle then goes on to tell everyone, “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” Guys if you want a blessing have a humble mind and a tender heart given to sympathy. You will then find it difficult to lord over your wife in a dominating way. Instead you will consider her feelings and you give honor to her by making decisions that reflect your sympathy and unity of mind. You will also find it much easier for your wife to honor you with a gentle and quiet spirit when you follow what God desires you to do.

Our Shepherd

1 Peter 2:21-25 (NLT)
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.


In the beginning of 1 Peter 2, the Apostle Peter tells those of the church to put aside their evil behavior. He continues on in verse 21 to say we should do what is right even if we suffer to do so for Christ suffered on our behalf to do what was right. Christ never deceived, never retaliated, and never sought revenge. He left the determination of what would happen in the hands of God the Father. Christ was wounded so we might be healed from sin. He became our Shepherd to lead us from our nature desire to wander away from what is right, good, just and holy.

A bible course professor asked a football player named Steve, if he would be willing to do 30 sets of 10 pushups for an experiment the next day. The football player said he had done 200 pushups in a row, so he thought could do that. The next day the professor came to class with donuts, which excited the students being that it was Friday and the last class of the day. It seemed they were getting a break today. The professor asked the first boy, “Would you like a donut?” The boy said yes and the professor turned to Steve and said, “Steve would you do 10 pushups so Mike can have a donut.” Steve proceeded to do 10 pushups and Mike received his donut. The professor continued to do this for each student until he reached another athlete who said, “I can do my own pushups.” The professor responded, “No, Steve has to do them for you.” The student replied, “Then I don’t want a donut.” “Very well said the professor, Steve would you do 10 pushups so Bob can have a donut available even though he doesn’t want it.” Struggling Steve managed another set of 10 pushups. It was apparent Steve was physically getting exhausted. Even though Bob protested the professor placed the donut in front of him and said it was there if he wanted it. Seeing Steve’s exhaustion the rest of the class proceeded to decline the donut; but again the professor would ask Steve to do the pushups and place the donut on the student’s desk in case they changed their mind. Five other students had come into the class and were observing what was taking place. The professor asked, “Steve there are 5 others here who are not members of this class; would you be willing to do pushups for them as well?” Steve replied, “Do I have to touch my nose all the way to the floor?” The professor replied, “Steve they are your pushups you do what you need to do.” Again asking the next person if they wanted a donut they declined and the professor asked Steve again for his 10 pushups. Sweat was pooling under Steve and he was barely able to push up from the floor. Everyone kept saying how unfair this was, but the professor said this was something Steve must do on his own. As with the others, the last student declined, Steve did his final 10 pushups and then collapsed to the floor. Students rushed to help pick him up and then turned to the professor to ask what this was all about. The professor said, “You see Steve is the only one with a perfect grade this semester. He is the only one who has been faithful to attend every class and follow every assignment. There was no one else worthy as Steve so I chose him to take on the responsibility for everyone else. Keep this in mind when you think about Christ for He was the only one who could take on the responsibility to pay our debt for sin and He paid a dear cost for it.” Without complaint Christ died for us. He is our Shepherd showing us how we should live.

From carbon to diamond

Colossians 3:5-11 (NLT)
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.


In these verses the apostle is encouraging those who believe in Christ to put aside the old habits of sin, which our flesh is naturally drawn towards, and instead renew our lives and learn how to live as God created us to live. While some hold onto religious rituals to help secure their faith that is not what is important; Christ is all that really matters for he lives in all of us who believe.


Carbon is a nonmetallic element found usually in coal, petroleum and asphalt. Other variations of carbon include carbon black, lampblack, activated carbon, and charcoal. For the most part these items are not clean or pleasant to deal with. Yet carbon can be transformed into something wonderful. When placed in the proper environment to change it becomes a beautiful and shining diamond. When our lives are given to Christ and we are placed in Him and Him in us our lives are transformed. We are no longer that dirty sinful person, but we because a beautiful diamond reflecting the love of Jesus. We still have the nature of sin in us just as a diamond still has carbon in it; but we have been changed where we no longer have to feel like a dirty sinful person. So remember your beauty in Christ and let Him always shine in your life.

Listening with intent

Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”


Jesus asks the question, “Why do you keep calling me Lord?” He asked the question because referring to someone as Lord meant the person was in servitude to the master. The slave was therefore under obligation to follow the orders and directives of his master. And while many were ready to call Jesus Lord their actions did not agree with their statements. So Jesus gave them some words of wisdom. Those who build upon His principles and follow Him will find a solid foundation in their life to live on. But those who listen and ignore his words will find the foundation week and ready to be swept away at a moment’s notice.


Robert Kupferschmid was an 81-year-old with no flying experience. However, due to a tragic emergency, he was forced to fly an airplane. On June 17, 1998, he and his 52-year-old friend, Wesley Sickle, were flying from Indianapolis to Muncie, Indiana. During the flight, the pilot slumped over and died at the controls. The Cessna 172 single-engine plane began to nose-dive and Kupferschmid grabbed the controls. He got on the radio and pleaded for help. Nearby were two pilots heard the call. Comfort was the closest airport, and the two pilots gave Kupferschmid a steady stream of instructions of climbing, steering, and the scariest part --- landing. Witnesses said the plane’s nose nudged the center line and bounced a few times before the tail hit the ground. The Cessna ended up in a patch of soggy grass next to the runway. Fortunately Kupferschmid was not injured. [Citation: Gregg Donnelly, Maple Plain, Minnesota]


Imagine what might have taken place had Kupferscmid not followed the instructions of the other pilots. Instead he listened knowing his life depending upon their words of wisdom. Imagine what would take place in our lives if we listened to Christ with the same intent?

Be a good example

John 13:12-15 (NLT)
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.


During this period of history people traveled dusty roads wearing sandals. A host would often have a menial servant wash the feet of his guests so they could enjoy the comfort of his home. Yet we find Jesus has just completed the washing of the disciples’ feet. While the disciples would have been glad to have washed the feet of Jesus they found it inconceivable he would wash their feet. Jesus said to them, “I have given you an example to follow.” This was a great lesson for the disciples because it was teaching them Christian humility and the responsibility of giving an example, a pattern, for others to follow.


Our life is a living example. At issue is whether we are good or bad examples. The preference is to be a good example. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” In the verses above Jesus pointed out we should humble ourselves as an example to others. The Apostle Jude showed us a bad example when he said, “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” We choose to be either a good or bad example to others who are watching us. Our actions influence our friends, our spouse, our children, and others. Pray God would lead you to be a good example for others to follow. Pray you will resist the temptation to follow bad examples so as not to lead other astray of suffer the negative consequences for such actions.